By: Dick Brinster
EAST WINDSOR The township has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Mercer County to build soccer and lacrosse fields at a 59-acre site off Disbrow Hill Road, and Mayor Janice Mironov said Wednesday that another award in that amount could come next year.
The current grant, which requires matching funds from the township, is part of the $1.5 million Mercer at Play program. The grants allow each municipality to build or renovate recreation facilities.
County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced Tuesday that all 12 municipalities that applied were awarded grants.
"The county executive also has indicated to me both verbally and in a letter that he’s included an additional $250,000 in the 2007 budget," the mayor said. "That award to East Windsor would be subject to approval by freeholders for the same project."
County spokeswoman Julie Willmot said all municipalities would be eligible for additional funding for those projects next year upon submission of an application stating how the money would be used.
"We’re extremely appreciative to the county for their generous assistance toward this important community project," the mayor said. "With a growing number of young people and organized sports activities, this funding is of great value."
The mayor said the property for the athletic fields opposite Etra Lake Park was acquired in 2004 for $1.154 million. It was financed through a Green Acres grant of $634,000, a county grant of $193,000 and $327,000 from developers fees.
Ms. Mironov said the township would match the $250,000 county grant by applying up to $200,000 in previous state grant money and can use the value of the property toward whatever amount of county funding it does not apply to the project.
She could not say exactly when construction would start but said the township plans to move ahead as quickly as possible. The mayor also said the township staff has been asked to put together an action plan, part of which would be designing the actual facilities.
Ten grants were made, ranging from $442,000 from development of the Twin Pines Airport in a joint venture by Lawrence and Hopewell Townships and Hopewell and Pennington Boroughs to $16,709 for basketball courts in Hopewell Borough and an unidentified project in Pennington.
"This is a perfect example of how the county and the towns comprised within can bolster and expand recreation projects by sharing the costs through cooperative financing," Mr. Hughes said in a press release.
"Staying active is one of the most important components in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and I was thrilled to see the variety of projects suggested by our constituent municipalities."

